Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Coliseum facts for kids
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The Coliseum
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| Location | Evansville, Indiana |
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| Owner | Vanderburgh County |
| Operator | Vanderburgh County Veterans Council |
| Capacity | 2,400 (seated) 4,055 (with standing room) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1916 |
| Construction cost | $180,000 (1916) |
| Tenants | |
| Dynamite Dolls (WFTDA) (2007- Present), Destruction Dames (WFTDA) (2008- Present) |
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Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Coliseum
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1918 photo of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Coliseum
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| Location | 350 Court St., Evansville, Indiana |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1916 |
| Architect | Shopbell, Clifford & Co. |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000052 |
| Added to NRHP | May 10, 1979 |
The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Coliseum is a historic building in downtown Evansville, Indiana. It is also known as The Coliseum or Veterans Memorial Coliseum. This building is used for many different events and meetings.
Contents
Building History
The Coliseum was built to honor soldiers from Vanderburgh County. These soldiers fought in the American Civil War and the Spanish–American War. The building is 66,000 square feet in size.
Construction started on May 9, 1916, when the first stone was laid. The building was finished in March 1917. It was officially opened on April 18, 1917. This was around the time the United States joined World War I. The building cost $180,000 to build.
Design and Art
The Coliseum was designed by Shopbell & Company. It has a special style called neoclassical. This means it looks like old Greek and Roman buildings. It was the first modern place in Evansville for large meetings and events.
Two large statues stand next to the entrance. They were made by George H. Honig from Rockport, Indiana.
- The Spirit of 1865 is on the left. It shows victory for the Union side in the Civil War.
- The Spirit of 1916 is on the right. It shows older Civil War veterans thinking about the past.
Saving the Coliseum
For a long time, the Coliseum was the best place for events in Evansville. But in the 1950s, a new, bigger stadium called Roberts Municipal Stadium was built. The Coliseum started to seem old and small.
Later, there was a plan to tear down old buildings in the city. The Coliseum was in danger of being destroyed. But a group called "Save the Coliseum" worked hard to protect it. The same group had also helped save the Old Vanderburgh County Courthouse. Thanks to them, the Coliseum was saved from being torn down.
The Giant Organ
In 1919, a huge organ with 4,000 pipes was put into the Coliseum. It was a memorial to Professor Milton Z. Tinker. He was a music supervisor in the local schools for many years. When it was installed, it was one of the biggest organs in the world.
In 2013, the University of Evansville bought the organ. They took it apart and put it into storage. The university hopes to fix it and make it work again in the future.
Modern Use
When the Old National Events Plaza was built, the Coliseum was used less for big shows and meetings. In 1971, Vanderburgh County leased the building. They gave it to the Vanderburgh County Veterans Council for 99 years. The rent was only $1 a year.
The Coliseum's main hall can still seat 2,400 people. It can hold up to 4,055 people if some are standing. The Veterans Council now rents out the building for many different activities.
- Sporting events
- Exhibitions
- Stage plays
- Wedding parties
- Music shows
- Bingo games
- Concerts
- Charity events
The Coliseum is also home to the Demolition City Roller Derby teams. These teams are the Dynamite Dolls and Destruction Dames. Professional wrestling events also take place here.
Images for kids
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The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Coliseum
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A photo of the Coliseum from 1918
